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Anastas N. Michos

Anastas N. Michos

Cinematographer · Born November 26, 1956 (69) · USA

Primetime Emmy nominee

ASC and EMMY nominated Anastas Michos works with bold confidence in every genre. From lush period pieces, to sparkling romantic comedies, from electrifying thrillers to pulsating musicals, Michos brings to each of his films a strong style and dynamic look. His versatility is front and center in the kaleidoscopic musical drama Sparkle; the breezy romantic comedy Jumping the Broom; the ominous horror film Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D; the relentless in-your-face camerawork of the FBI thriller Untraceable; the gritty reality of the New York police drama Freedomland; the lush period drama Mona Lisa Smile, and the polished suspense thriller Perfect Stranger, and most recently the magical realism of The Keeping Hours. Experience and artistry combine in his work with Hollywood's leading ladies. Beyonce Knowles, Halle Berry, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Roberts, Angela Bassett, Julianne Moore, Jennifer Hudson, Paula Patton, Julia Stiles, Whitney Houston, Meg Ryan, Annette Benning are a few of the women captured by his lighting artistry and appreciation of beauty in storytelling. Throughout his lengthy career, Michos has collaborated with the industry's top directors, among them, Milos Forman, Edward Norton, Kasi Lemmons, Mike Newell, Stephen Frears, Neil Jordan, Oliver Stone, Ron Howard, and Danny DeVito. Before moving up to Director of Photography, Michos worked for more than a decade as one of the industry's most respected and sought after camera and Steadicam operators. He remains an active member of the American Society of Cinematographers, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Michos lecturers frequently at universities and workshops throughout the US and Europe.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
November 26, 1956 (69)
From
USA
Works as
Cinematographer
Titles
56 on Motif · 61 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Down 25% in 30 days

What are Anastas N. Michos' films like?

Across their 32 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy13 titlesTypical Motif score: 37th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama7 titlesTypical Motif score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime5 titlesTypical Motif score: 27th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Biography4 titlesTypical Motif score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Action2 titlesTypical Motif score: 10th percentile
: browse their Action movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Motif score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Self
21%
Morality
16%
Society
14%
Survival
11%
Power
6%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 32 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 10 · Dark 12

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 20 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 11 · Charged 12 · Intense 9

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 18 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 17 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 6

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 15 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 19 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 4

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 12 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 9

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Hopeful
10
Dread
7
Melancholic
10
Joyful
9
Other
37

How their films linger

Hopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic4
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Anastas N. Michos' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 38 of their 56 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Anastas N. Michos' titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Motif score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

61 credits, 56 with a Motif page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Phil Collins: No Jacket Required (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2025)

    Cinematographer

  • The Home(2025)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Cinematographer

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • This Is the Night(2021)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Kissing Booth 3(2021)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Vanquish(2021)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Empty Man(2020)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Kissing Booth 2(2020)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Motherless Brooklyn(2019)

    Second Unit Director of Photography

    Motif score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • The First Purge(2018)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Kissing Booth(2018)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Keeping Hours(2017)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Curmudgeons (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Camera Operator

  • Quantico(2015)

    Show 6 episodes · Cinematographer

    Motif score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • With This Ring(2015)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Whitney(2015)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Petals on the Wind (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

  • Black Nativity(2013)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Baggage Claim(2013)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Texas Chainsaw(2013)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Sparkle(2012)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Columbus Circle(2012)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Jumping the Broom(2011)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Janie Jones(2010)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • After.Life(2009)

    Camera Operator · Cinematographer

    Motif score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Cadillac Records(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Women(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Untraceable(2008)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Raving (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    Cinematographer

  • Perfect Stranger(2007)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Freedomland(2006)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Forgotten(2004)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Mona Lisa Smile(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Duplex(2003)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Death to Smoochy(2002)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 57th percentile of all films

  • What's the Worst That Could Happen?(2001)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Keeping the Faith(2000)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Man on the Moon(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Big Kahuna(1999)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Instinct(1999)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Stepmom(1998)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 79th percentile of all films

  • What Dreams May Come(1998)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Education of Little Tree(1997)

    Cinematographer

    Motif score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Absolute Power(1997)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Dead Presidents(1995)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles(1994)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Quiz Show(1994)

    "B" Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Crooklyn(1994)

    Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 84th percentile of all films

  • With Honors(1994)

    Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Only You(1994)

    Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Flesh and Bone(1993)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Cure: Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Camera Operator

  • The Age of Innocence(1993)

    Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 89th percentile of all films

  • House of Cards(1993)

    Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Sommersby(1993)

    Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Home Alone 2: Lost in New York(1992)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Rocky V(1990)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Born on the Fourth of July(1989)

    Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Dream a Little Dream(1989)

    Camera Operator · Steadicam Operator

    Motif score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Lean on Me(1989)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Eddie Murphy: Raw(1987)

    Camera Operator

    Motif score: 92nd percentile of all films

Career shape

A full career of 61 titles from 1987 to 2025.

Biggest box office

Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

$141M worldwide

Highest rated

Man on the Moon (1999)

Motif 90th

Most popular right now

Untraceable (2008)

By role

only this rolewith another role
Cinematography39 of 61: 37 only cinematography, 2 with another role · typical Motif score38thOther crew24 of 61: 22 only other crew, 2 with another role · typical Motif score77th

By decade

1980s4 · crew1990s20 · crew2000s13 · crew2010s16 · crew2020s8 · crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Motif score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored.

Awards

Nominated for a Primetime Emmy in 2023, Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Anastas N. Michos' films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Motif score in the 52nd percentile, the median of all 54; across their 32 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 33rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

33rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Approval · how many liked their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Reach · how many have seen their films

92ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 32

Motif score across 56 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up14
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 56 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser22
  • Broadly Agreed10
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · cinematographer

Black Nativity (2013)

88th percentile spread · 40% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · cinematographer

Man on the Moon (1999)

Motif 90th · 79% liked

Reviewers score the cinematography 56/100 in their films, across 28 reviewed titles; fans 63, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as a cinematographer.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Motif score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Anastas N. Michos' work okay for kids?

Across up to 21 Motif titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore17 titles14–92 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity21 titles26–56 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 31
Profanity19 titles30–85 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 35
Alcohol & Drugs16 titles36–58 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense16 titles10–89 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Anastas N. Michos work with?

People who share at least 2 of Anastas N. Michos' Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Danny DeVito shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles